Introducing Our Advisory Board!

Owner Rob Friedman is the founder of Friedman Hospitality Group, and owns several of the Wyoming Valley’s finest establishments, including The River Street Jazz Cafe, The Beaumont Inn, Grico’s, Kevin’s Bar and Restaurant, Cork Bar and Restaurant, Fire and Ice on Toby Creek, and Friedman Farms. His latest restaurant, Bank+Vine, brings farm-to-table dining to the heart of Wilkes-Barre.

Hi, I'm Laura! I am an NYC based photographer & videographer who's clients include Food Network NYCWFF & SOBEWFF, The Empire State Building, Omni Hotels, Coca-Cola, Rockefeller Center, Selina Hotels, Tao Group, Fenway Park, One World Trade, Circle Line Yachts and more. 

Let me take you and your partner, family, friends or group on a magical photo tour of NYC! As a local I know all the best, most beautiful spots to capture your moments together. We will cover the most coveted iconic landmarks to unknown enchanting hidden treasures and everywhere in-between! It is such a joy to customize these unforgettable excursions with you! 

I love capturing life's most dynamic, profound moments with a classic, timeless yet contemporary, vibrant flair that resonates today and for years to come!

Sarah Higgins is a seasoned professional with over 12 years of experience in various roles within the New York State Restaurant Association (NYSRA). Having held diverse positions in sales and project management, she currently excels as the Member Education and Events Director for the organization.

During her tenure, Sarah has played a pivotal role in revolutionizing NYSRA's educational initiatives. She spearheaded the launch of the Association's comprehensive virtual education programming, paving the way for members to access valuable training resources remotely. Sarah's vision and dedication to enhancing member education have proven instrumental in equipping restaurant industry professionals with the skills and knowledge necessary to thrive in an ever-evolving landscape. 

Moreover, Sarah has been acknowledged for her exceptional event management skills, orchestrating two of NYSRA's most renowned gatherings. As the driving force behind the Restaurant Industry Spotlight on Excellence (RISE) Awards and Leadership and Operations Symposium, she has successfully created impactful platforms for industry professionals to connect, learn, and celebrate excellence. These signature events have become synonymous with NYSRA's commitment to fostering innovation and recognizing outstanding achievements in the restaurant industry.

Michael Scinto is a dedicated advertising and marketing specialist with over 23 years of experience in foodservice marketing and media. Currently serving as the Vice President of Sales for Total Food Service magazine, he bridges the gap by connecting foodservice brands to foodservice operators. Staying abreast of new marketing techniques marked by a combination of a strong work ethic and an unwavering commitment to success, Michael is always eager to help his colleagues and clients.

Mickey King is President of Like a King Hospitality encompassing two venues in New York, Honeymoon planning, Destination wedding panning and off-site event planning in New York, Florida and California.

Hannah Lopez is a visionary leader in the realm of hospitality and a true enthusiast of the Plant Based Industry. With an unwavering passion for promoting healthier choices and sustainable living, Hannah has taken on the pivotal role of Food Service Director at the Plant-Based Foods Association (PBFA). PBFA is the nation's premier trade association for leading plant-based food companies and Hannah is dedicated to championing, fortifying, and uplifting both members and the entire plant-based foods sector.

Hannah's journey has been guided by her innate dedication to bettering the food industry. Her fervor for plant-based products has led her to the forefront of this transformative movement. As a trailblazer, Hannah's mission is clear: to infuse the Food Service industry with the vitality of plant-based options. She firmly believes that the key to monumental decisions lies in attentive consumer engagement – a principle that aligns seamlessly with PBFA's mission. With her understanding of market dynamics and an unwavering commitment to fostering positive change, Hannah, along with PBFA, is here to offer invaluable guidance, ensuring the seamless integration of plant power into menus across the Food Service landscape.

Andrew Rigie is the Executive Director of the New York City Hospitality Alliance, an association serving and representing restaurants and nightlife venues throughout the five boroughs, and the CEO of the Impact Foundation, a charitable organization working to support a thriving, diverse and resilient restaurant and nightlife community by serving emergency meals to people in need, offering culinary scholarships, industry education, and more.

Andrew was born into the hospitality business, working at his family’s third generation bakery in Queens, NY. He later “got his apron dirty” by working multiple positions within the industry before joining the New York State Restaurant Association in 2004. There he recruited members, was a grassroots organizer, and provided resources and consulting services to restaurant operators, including its Nightlife Association chapter that represented bars and nightclubs. In 2009, Andrew took the helm of the 80+ year old Association's New York City operations as its Executive Vice President.

Rigie utilized the knowledge he gained working inside the industry and on its behalf, to become the founding executive director who launched the independent New York City Hospitality Alliance in 2012. Since then, The Alliance has grown into a premier organization delivering information, education, services and representing thousands of restaurants and nightlife venues in the halls of government and in the media. With the launch of the Impact Foundation in 2023, Rigie and The Alliance complemented their work and expanded their charitable footprint in significant ways. 

Art Sutley, the hospitality expert known as The Resident Boulevardier, has been in the restaurant/bar space for over 20 years. He was one of the industry experts behind Bar Business Magazine for 13 of them. As an educator in the industry, he speaks at many of the top restaurant and cocktail tradeshows globally.  In addition to this he is traveling both locally and internationally to tour top distilleries keeping his pulse on leading cocktail and spirit trends. This has led to Art being featured as a hospitality expert multiple times in many of the top global media outlets such as the Wall Street Journal, Market Watch,  Forbes, Forbes Radio, NRC Handelsblad, Supercall.com, Thrillist, AOL.com, Bonfort’s Wine & Spirits Journal, DrinkMe, Fox News, Fox Business and What’s Eating NYC. Art has also appeared on the Paramount Network’s hit TV Show Bar Rescue as a Recon Expert assisting host and industry expert Jon Taffer. Most recently Art has joined the team at Savage & Cooke Distillery owned by famed winemaker David Phinney.